Dutch ship Rotterdam (1695)

Rotterdam was a 52-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Dutch States Navy, launched in 1695 by the Rotterdam Naval Yard and operated by the Admiralty of Rotterdam until it was captured by the French Navy in 1703. It had a crew of around 110 men. == Capture by the French ==

On 22 May, the Rotterdam was escorting a convoy of around 110 English and Dutch merchant ships when they were intercepted by a French squadron led by Admiral Alain Emmanuel de Coëtlogon. The Dutch admiral Roemer Vlacq commanded his ships to turn and fight the French, allowing for the merchant ships to escape, but leading to the capture of all 5 escort ships, including the Rotterdam by the The Rotterdam was then taken by the French to Toulon where it was commissioned into the French navy as Rotterdam and its armament reduced to 40 guns. It continued to serve in the French Navy until being retired from service in 1706. == References ==